Erin Underwood Quilts

Yep – another quilt shop has opened up in our area – and what a grand place it is! Hoppin Bobbin recently purchased a quilt shop in Aberdeen, shut it down for a few months and totally transformed it into their own! Great classroom space, a long arm for finishing quilts, although I don’t think they are renting time on it, some embroidery available as well as a large selection of beautiful fabrics. Take some time to visit – the atmosphere is most welcoming and while you are there, check out the class schedule. They have a lot of interesting things being offered in addition to my Diamond Star being taught by Mary Lou, who by the way is a highly skilled bridal gown seamstress in addition to quilting. It may be worth taking the class just to learn something new from all her experience!

So we left the new windows and went down to NC just in time to meet Earl – he was a bust but my son and daughter-in-law were fun! Then we came back to the new windows and old dirt – I am torn between cleaning and quilting – I know, I know… there should be no question. Quilting, right? But since quilting has won out for a long, long time, the dirt and mysterious debris has staged a slow and steady onslaught in this charming abode of mine, demanding attention.

Yesterday, we had a great Tessellating Tree class at Bear’s Paw – I forgot my camera so I’ve just attached a pic of my latest two samples. Every one in the class used shades of red and green. Every one was in or past the quilting stage by the end of the class – one industrious lady even had her binding stitched on before we were through!

They came on Sunday and installed the several thousand dollars worth of windows we bought for this new – old house of ours. The view is even more spectacular through clear glass. And having things all torn up for construction inspired me not only to clean but to re-arrange. Now the long arm is in front of the picture window – note the new easy opening sliding windows – and the rest of the sewing room stuff lines up on the other wall blocking the opening between my studio, formally some other home owner’s living room, and the dining room. I’ve decided to hang a quilt in the dining room to hide the ugly glare of furniture and wires in the doorway – My PhatKat quilt will fit nicely there.  It feels a much more roomy in here! Wonder how long it will last….

On the down side, having all the windows open, well – literally empty, all day Sunday let in a lot of flies.

Take a gander at this new class I’m offering. Hand Applique by Machine – Its scheduled debut is Sunday, September 26 at Bear’s Paw in Towson. It has wash-away freezer paper and a batting/stabilizer all in one. Easily completed in an afternoon too! Still needs quilting – better get on that soon…

And so it may be come my motto! I’m struggling along today trying to get a good invisible stitch on my Janome, tried all sorts of thread, pushed all sorts of buttons but could still see the stitch A LOT – finally it occurred to me that the sewing machine sequestered in the basement hiding itself from the Goodwill pile may actually have the right stitch – being old enough to only have all utilitarian stitches and nothing fancy.

Eureka! Not only does it do the right stitch, it still works!! And with out a squeak or hummmmm too! Unfortunately, it does not thread its own needle nor does it have needle up or down nor does it have that handy-dandy little thread cutter on the side of the machine but I’ll keep it just the same – just for the stitch!

Finally had time to stop by the new Quilt Store in Elkton,  Maryland,  My Favorite Quilt Shop What a nice set up – big classroom space in the basement – lots of places to wander and look and very nice fabric selection for being such a young shop! I especially liked the “blending room” where all the “solids” in many different shades reside. If you have the time, stop by or at least take a moment to  peruse their website!

Diamond in the Woods just photographed and  loadedt up on my gallery –  I tried to take pictures of more quilts but its just too darn hot outside to work – can’t take good pictures inside, poor light and not enough room to spread out. – so its outside or nothing. I have decided that its outside but still nothing – I’m putting on my suit and jumping in the pool!

Lots of interesting color choices at Bear’s Paw – I think my camera didn’t do justice to the colors – the last diamond star is actually shades of purple and lime green – looks sort of blue and yellow in the pictures.

Note the round cutting mat – This smart lady salvaged a warped cutting mat by purchasing a lazy susan at Ikea and attaching the best part of the warped mat to it – very sturdy, nice idea!

Just returned from Springfield, Virginia, where I was lucky enough to be invited to  show my wares to the Burke Quilter’s Unlimited Guild. I was greeted warmly and hosted nicely by the group and very much enjoyed my visit there.  Thank you to all the ladies there and especially Jenn and Judy!! There was quite a bit a talent in the guild – wish there had been more time for Show-n-Tell from the members. I have a feeling I might have missed something really special!